Microbiological analysis of anemophilous fungi in acclimatized indoor environments

Abstract

Air quality directly affects the health of the general population. Considering the indoor permanence of individuals for long periods, monitoring the air quality of these environments is extremely important. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the population and diversity of anemophilous fungi in an air-conditioned environment belonging to a public bank branch, in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. Anemophilous fungi were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively in different climatized sectors to a banking establishment. The sampling was carried out using the active method by Air Impaction, the equipment used in the sampling being a Stage 1 Bioaerosol Impactor. The identification of anemophilous fungi in the air samples was performed using the microcultivation technique, and evaluation of macroscopic and microscopic structures. The results indicated high rates of detection of anemophilous fungi in 16 of the 19 environments evaluated. It was also possible to observe a high average percentage of Aspergillus sp. (41%) and Penicillium sp. (15%) in the different sectors analyzed. The data obtained in the study demonstrate the importance of periodic assessment of the quality of indoor environments, as well as the need for regular sanitizing of environments and air conditioning units.